"While the study of the engineering method is important to create the world we would have, its study is equally important to understand the world we do have." --Billy V. Koen, Introduction, Discussion of the Method Discussion of the Method outlines the heuristic-based reasoning used by engineers and generalizes it to a universal method for problem-solving. Delving into the connection between engineering and philosophy, this ground-breaking text illustrates how the theoretical and the practical can merge to form real-world solutions. Furthermore, the methodology covered in this innovative book is extremely user-friendly, and easily synthesized with individual approaches to problem-solving. Discussion of the Method is an ideal supplement for introductory and advanced courses in engineering, philosophy, and other disciplines, as well as a compelling read for general audiences. THE METHOD: AN OVERVIEW BLPart I describes the problem situation that calls for the talents of the engineer and emphasizes how frequently this situation is encountered. BLPart II defines the heuristic and the engineering method. BLPart III lists examples of heuristics and techniques used to implement the engineering method, describes several alternative definitions of the engineering method, and renders the method in its final form. BLPart IV generalizes the engineering method to a universal method. BLPart V gives a concise, justifiable statement of universal method. BLPart VI delivers a specific example of the universal method in use.

Figures and Tables Preface Introduction 1. Some Thoughts on Engineering 1.1. The Engineer 1.2. Characteristics of an Engineering Problem 1.2.1. Change 1.2.2. Resources 1.2.3. Best 1.2.4. Uncertainty 1.3. Example Engineering Problems 2. The Principal Rule of the Engineering Method 2.1. Definition of Engineering Design 2.2. The Heuristic 2.2.1. Definition 2.2.2. Signatures of the Heuristic 2.2.3. Synonyms of the Heuristic 2.2.4. Examples of Engineering Heuristics 2.3. State of the Art 2.3.1. Definition 2.3.2. Evolution 2.3.3. Transmission 2.3.4. An Acronym for State of the Art 2.3.5. Example Uses of the SOTA 2.3.6.1. Comparison of Engineers 2.3.6.2. Rule of Judgement 2.3.6.3. Engineer and Society 2.4. Principal Rule of the Engineering Method 3. Some Heuristics Used by the Engineering Method 3.1. Definition of Engineering Design 3.2. The Heuristic Method 3.3. Nature of Our Argument 3.3.1. Induction as a Heuristic 3.4. Representative Engineering Heuristics 3.4.1. Rules of Thumb and Orders of Magnitude 3.4.2. Factors of Safety 3.4.3. Attitude Determining Heuristics 3.4.3. Risk-Controlling Heuristics 3.4.4. Miscellaneous Heuristics 3.5. Alternate Definitions of Engineering 3.5.1. Engineering and Morphology 3.5.2. Engineering and Applied Science 3.5.3. Engineering and Trial and Error 3.5.4. Engineering and Problem Solution 3.6. Nature as a Designer 3.7. Preferred Definition of the Engineering Method 3.7.1. Time as a Heuristic 3.7.2. Derivation to a Curve 3.7.3. Reduction to a Preferred Form 3.7.4. Justification of the Heuristic Definition of the Engineering Method 3.8. Engineering Worldview 3.8.1. Coordinate Systems 3.8.2. Turtle Graphics 3.8.3. Consistent Engineering Worldview 4. The Universale Organum 4.1. Difficulties in Explaining the Koan 4.1.1. General Difficulties 4.1.2. Language as a Heuristic 4.2. Compelling Belief in KOAN 4.2.1. Basic Approach to Compel Belief 4.2.2. My Program 4.2.3. Weaving a Tapestry 4.2.3.1. Arithmetic as Arithmetic 4.2.3.2. Mathematics as Mathematics 4.2.3.3. Deduction as Deduction 4.2.3.4. Certain as Certain 4.2.3.5. Position as Position 4.2.3.6. Logic as Logic 4.2.3.7. Truth as Truth 4.2.3.8. Progress as Progress 4.2.3.9. Causality as Causality 4.2.3.10. Consciousness as Consciousness 4.2.3.11. Physical Reality as Physical Reality 4.2.3.12. Science as Science 4.2.3.13. Perception as Perception 4.2.4. Experto Credite 4.2.4.1. Argument as Argument 4.2.5. All Is Heuristic 4.2.6. Reduction of Koan to a Preferred Form 4.2.6.1. All 4.2.6.2. Is 4.2.6.3. Heuristic 4.3. Comparison of Heuristic and Skeptical Positions 4.3.1. History of Skepticism 4.3.2. Differences between Skeptic and Engineer 4.3.2.1. Genie Malin 4.3.2.2. Coherence 4.3.2.3. Home Field Advantage 4.3.2.4. Skeptic's Pride 4.3.2.5. Reification of Doubt 4.3.3. An Impregnable Defense 4.4. Overall SOTA 4.4.1. Synonyms 4.4.2. Partitioning Overall SOTA 4.4.2.1. Concepts as Subsets 4.4.2.2. Fuzzy Subsets 4.4.3. Personal SOTAs 4.4.3.1. Compelling Nature of Personal SOTA 4.4.3.2. Incoherence of Personal Sota 4.4.3.3. Rules of Judgement and Implementation 4.4.3.4. Engineer's Ataraxia 4.5. A Discourse on Method 4.5.1. Method of Descartes 4.5.2. Problems with Descartes' Method 4.5.2.1. Universal 4.5.2.2. Comprehensive 4.5.2.3. Prior Philosophical Commitment 4.5.2.4. Self Sufficient 4.5.3. Universal Organum 4.6. Engineering, Philosophy, and the Universal Method 5. Summary of the Method 6. Application of the Method 6.1. Traditional Utopia 6.2. Utopia as a Program for Change 6.3. Eutopia 6.4. Mundus Institute of Technology 6.4.1. Origins 6.4.2. Architecture 6.4.3. Personnel 6.4.3.1. Abstractors 6.4.3.2. Professors 6.4.3.3. Students 6.4.4. Research in Progress 6.4.4.1. Research in the Vestibule 6.4.4.2. Research in the Corridors An Anachronistic Preface Heuristics Index

Billy Vaughn KoenProfessor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

"Professor Koen's book suggests a startling, explicit statement of a new way to think about engineering and life.If we, as educators, wish to prepare our students for engineering practice, the techniques indicated in this book provide a philosophical underpinning for dealing with risks associated with engineering actions and designs, when there is insufficient applicable science."--Chemical Engineering Education, Volume 38, Numer 3, Summer 2004